Abstract: A beacon (110) for a ranging system includes an electronic scanned array (ESA) antenna and a transceiver. The ESA antenna is configured to emit a separate radio frequency (RF) phased-array narrow beam (140) for each of a plurality of segments of an arc, and receive from an end user node (130) a response signal based on at least one of the RF phased-array narrow beam (140). Each segment of the arc is scanned at a specified time interval. The transceiver is configured to transmit a pulsed signal via the RF phased-array narrow beam (140), and receive the response signal.

Abstract: A ranging system includes at least one beacon and a control module. The at least one beacon is configured to scan each segment in a plurality of segments of an arc with a narrow radio frequency (RF) beam and receive a response signal from an end user node in at least one segment. Each segment of the arc is scanned at a specified time interval. The control module is configured to communicate with the at least one beacon. The control module is further configured to calculate at least one of an angle-of-arrival (AOA) and a time-of-flight (TOF) of a response signal from the end user node to the beacon and generate an end user node location relative to a beacon location.

Abstract: A method of using a ranging system for communicating between an end user node and controller to determine the location of the end user node relative to a beacon. The controller transmits an inquiry message to the end user node with a minimum received signal strength indicator (RSSI) message that includes a threshold for transmitting a reply message. When the measured RSSI of the inquiry message exceeds the RSSI threshold, the controller receives a reply message from the end user node, including the measured RSSI.